Suzuki XL7 vs. Mazda Tribute Review

Handling
With their similar turning radii, the Mazda Tribute and the XL-7 doubtless handle roughly the same into and out of tight spots.

Drivetrain
The Mazda Tribute's engine is markedly smaller than the Suzuki XL-7's. Remember that a smaller engine usually has to work a little harder; however, smaller engines are often cheaper to fix. The Mazda Tribute could learn a lesson or two from the Suzuki XL-7 with respect to pickup. Torque equals pickup, and the Suzuki XL-7 will have picked up and gone by the time the Mazda Tribute finally gets moving.

Utility
There's no clear winner between the Suzuki XL-7 and the Mazda Tribute with respect to transporting cargo. Drivers with frequent kid-duty might favor the Suzuki XL-7 over the Tribute. The XL-7 outpulls the Mazda Tribute by a large margin.

Convenience
You doubtless won't have to visit your friendly gas station more often with the Suzuki than with the Mazda, because both offer similar mileage ranges.

Comfort
While the front cabin in the Mazda Tribute offers a bit more head room than the Suzuki XL-7, there honestly isn't much of a difference. The ampler interior dimensions of the Mazda make it considerably more spacious for your passengers than the Suzuki XL-7.

Dimensions
The Suzuki XL-7 is somewhat more ponderous than the Mazda. The Mazda Tribute's tank is about the same size as the Suzuki XL-7's, though the Suzuki XL-7's is a tad bigger. The Mazda Tribute rides lower than the XL-7, which is a good thing for its center of gravity and ease of access. The Tribute and the XL-7 compete for the same parking spaces. The Suzuki XL-7's longer wheelbase will likely result in a smoother, more stable ride; on the other hand, the Mazda Tribute may give a more maneuverable feel in daily traffic.

Cost
The destination charge is a standard charge for transporting the vehicle from its point of origin to the dealer. It costs about the same to get the Mazda Tribute to the dealership as the Suzuki XL-7. Producing an exact fuel economy evaluation is so difficult that some think not even the federal government can do it, but it looks as though both the Tribute and the Tribute perform roughly similarly as far as fuel economy. The Mazda Tribute isn't much less expensive than the Suzuki XL-7 as far as MSRP.

Overview
The basic after-sale protection that comes with the Suzuki isn't quite as generous as the Mazda Tribute's.